Mom left chicks for the roost

[sylviethecochin]

Do y'all think momma will go to them in the morning

No way to tell. Probably, but you know your hen best.

 

[TexasSam]

Okay, that's weird. What's the other half/quarter of the equation?

Don't know this is her. The chicks are Ameraucanas

 

[Nksg75]

Just curious what breed of hen is it that hatched them?
The little girl in my avatar had a crappy mom.
Poor thing would run after her all the time crying, and the hen just ignored her after the 1st week. Her bad mother was a BCM. The first and last time she will do that!!
I have a silkie who on the other hand won't leave her chicks side till at least 12 weeks.

 

[Nksg75]

Ahh, she looks like a EE/silkie mix

 

[TexasSam]

Ahh, she looks like a EE/silkie mix

I have thought that myself.

Just curious what breed of hen is it that hatched them?
The little girl in my avatar had a crappy mom.
Poor thing would run after her all the time crying, and the hen just ignored her after the 1st week. Her bad mother was a BCM. The first and last time she will do that!!
I have a silkie who on the other hand won't leave her chicks side till at least 12 weeks.

She hatched them she is a broody little lady

 

[Nksg75]

I have thought that myself.

She hatched them she is a broody little lady

Reason I say that is she looks so much like my first chicken. God, I loved that chicken!! I have been trying ever since sh died to recreate her!! NO luck so far!!
Here is a pic of her (Crazy was her name) I know for sure her father was a silkie and mother was a EE. They look similar!!

 

[Morrigan]

If found that the length of mothering really depends on the hen. I've read that 5 to 6 weeks is normal, and that's been my general experience. But, I had one who mothered them until they were almost as big as her! I've also had hens that have semi-abandoned them at 3 to 4 weeks. In those cases, they went back to egg laying then and flew to the roost, BUT they would still protect the chicks during the day, and would welcome them to huddle under their wings on the roost, for another 2 to 3 weeks.

What I learned for the later situation, is that chicks are remarkably resilient, and that even 3 week old chicks found their way in the flock dynamics and thrived. I have never separated the "early abandonees", as I personally worried more about the difficulties of later integrating them into the flock. I tried to stand back as much as I could and let them do, what they were going to do.

But, as others have said, you know your flock and situation, so you need to do what seem right for your situation.

 

[TexasSam]

If found that the length of mothering really depends on the hen. I've read that 5 to 6 weeks is normal, and that's been my general experience. But, I had one who mothered them until they were almost as big as her! I've also had hens that have semi-abandoned them at 3 to 4 weeks. In those cases, they went back to egg laying then and flew to the roost, BUT they would still protect the chicks during the day, and would welcome them to huddle under their wings on the roost, for another 2 to 3 weeks.

What I learned for the later situation, is that chicks are remarkably resilient, and that even 3 week old chicks found their way in the flock dynamics and thrived. I have never separated the "early abandonees", as I personally worried more about the difficulties of later integrating them into the flock. I tried to stand back as much as I could and let them do, what they were going to do.

But, as others have said, you know your flock and situation, so you need to do what seem right for your situation.

Well I have been putting them in a run for everyone to see during the day I am a little more protective of these because they are my first batch of Ameraucanas. Also there has been more than normal hawk activity lately with all the migration. I went and got her and put them all in the garage. All is well now they are tucked under her wing

 

[Morrigan]

Well I have been putting them in a run for everyone to see during the day I am a little more protective of these because they are my first batch of Ameraucanas. Also there has been more than normal hawk activity lately with all the migration. I went and got her and put them all in the garage. All is well now they are tucked under her wing

Sounds like you are doing right by them.

 

[WillowMoon]

Hi. I typically let the hens call the shoots in caring for the chicks. What you describe doesn't sound problematic unless you have a chick that cannot access fresh water, food and is exposed to the elements. If the chicks are making noise and don't sound distressed, I don't involve myself. Trust your instincts and go with that.